Atkinson hits 30 goals, ends slump

Some players want their milestone goals to be special — the kind that win games, make highlight reels and trigger a flurry of GIFs on social media.

Blue Jackets wing Cam Atkinson was just fine scoring his 30th goal into an empty net last week against the New Jersey Devils. He was pleased and relieved to reach a mark he set for himself over the summer.

After registering 27 goals in his first 54 games, the All-Star needed 11 games to get three more, including two against the New York Rangers on Feb. 26. Atkinson went through stretches where he couldn’t finish the type of chances he has been burying all season.

“Whether you score nine goals or 19 goals or 29 goals and you’re trying to get that next one, you might think about it a little bit too much, grip the stick a little tighter than you’re used to,” said Atkinson, who has at least 20 goals in four straight seasons. “Obviously, those chances where you are used to scoring and you don’t, you’re like, ‘Gosh, maybe this isn’t the year.’ ”

Atkinson added two more goals Monday in a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers to raise his career high to 32. His scoring resurgence — six points in six games — is a good sign for the playoff-bound Blue Jackets, who are fighting for the top overall spot.

Coach John Tortorella didn’t think Atkinson was playing well during the drought and spoke to him about it. Tortorella uses the 27-year-old in all situations. Despite the three-week dip in production, the coach said Atkinson is much improved this season with his approach to the game.

“He is more steady in his preparation,” Tortorella said. “He is much more of a consistent player and that’s why he has had the year he has had.”

Decisions, decisions

The Blue Jackets are healthy at forward with the return of center Lukas Sedlak to practice after missing 10 games because of a strained oblique. The club is carrying 14 forwards and Tortorella must decide how to use them in the stretch run.

He said he hasn’t decided on a lineup for tonight against the Florida Panthers, but Sedlak and Lauri Korpikoski appeared like the odd men out in line rushes.

"It's a good problem to have," Tortorella said. "As you go through the last part of the year, everybody is going to get an opportunity."